Connector

ABSTRACT

A connector clip for making an electrical connection between a terminal post and an apertured plate or the like. The clip has resilient parallel legs and bows outwardly to grip the post between them while anchoring itself in the aperture. The plate provides a uniform power source at all terminals to which it is connected and is insulated from a ground plate, which it overlies, and in which the terminals are mounted.

United States Patent Inventor George Walter Chicago, Ill. AppL-No.865.775 Filed Oct. 13. 1969 Division of Ser. \'0. 667,245, Sept.12,1967, Pat. No. 3.496.517 Patented Aug. 3, i971 Assignee MalcoManufacturing Company, Inc. v

Chicago, Ill.

CONNECTOR 5 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figs.

s, (l v 339/19, 24/73, 24/216, 339/17, 339/18 Int. Cl A441: 21/00, H0 1r 9/02 Field ofSearch 339/18, l9,

17, 258 P; 24/73 B, 73.7, 223, 224, 222, 222 BS, 216,211 K, l30,8l THPrimary Examiner.lames A. Leppink Assistant Examiner-Terrell F. LewisAttorney-Hume, Clement, Hume & Lee

ABSTRACT: A connector clip for making an electrical connection between aterminal post and an apertured plate or the like. The clip has resilientparallel legs and bows outwardly to grip the post between them whileanchoring itself in the aperture. The plate provides a uniform powersource at all terminals to which it is connected and is insulated from aground plate, which it overlies, and in which the terminals are mounted.

PATENIEB ms 312m 3, 597,722

sum 2 or 3 PATENTED A G 3 SHEET 3 0F 3 CONNECTOR This application is adivision of the copending application of George Walter, Ser. No.667,245, filed Sept. 12, I967, entitled CONNECTOR, now U.S. Pat. No.3,496,5 l 7, issued Feb. 17, 1970.

This invention is in the field of electrical hardware. It dealsparticularly with electrical hardware especially suited for high densitycomputer circuitry and the like.

It is now common for computer circuitry to include'terminal platesseating thousands of electrical terminals. A preferred arrangementcomprising multiple, parallel rows of wire wrap terminals seated inself-locking relationship (as described in the Just et al. U.S. Pat. No.2,995,617, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention) ininsulators extending through corresponding apertures in the terminalplates. The terminals conventionally have wire wrap posts on one end andcontacts on their opposite ends suitably disposed in the insulators for'receipt of mating terminals or printed circuit boards or the like. Thewire wrap posts are connected to computer circuitry leads or a powersource by wire wrap techniques.

Power for the circuitry in which these self-locking terminals arecomponents has conventionally been distributed by conductor wiresconnecting certain terminals to a power source. This arrangement hasserious drawbacks in computer circuitry, however. Current distributionis necessarily affected by conductor length and size, for example.Variations in voltage drop from one terminal to another occur throughthe conductors. In a computer, where very slight voltage variationsactually affect the basic functions of the computer, including relay andsemiconductor triggering andthe like, uniform power distribution is ofprimary importance.

To solve this problem of uniform power distribution, the applicant hasdeveloped a power plate arrangement wherein power is supplied through aseparate plate overlying and generally insulated from the conventionalground plate upon which the terminals are mounted. As such, it is anobject of the invention to provide a power plate arrangement for amultiple terminal complex wherein uniform voltage is provided to anyselected terminal throughout a multitude of terminals mounted in aground plate.

Another object is to provide a power plate arrangement wherein a voltageplate and ground plate sandwich acts as a capacitor in affording acurrent storage unit so that even if current fluctuations occur, thecapacitor continues to provide a constant current flow to terminalsconnected to the voltage plate.

wherein a magnetic field is developed around the connections made so asto shield them from interference by adjacent circuitry.

Yet another object is to provide a plate arrangement wherein the voltagedistribution means acts as an excellent heat dissipation medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedconnector for connecting terminal wire wrap posts to electricalcomponents such as a voltage plate or printed circuit board or the like.

It is another object to provide a connector which comprises a rugged andreliable, yet simple and inexpensive, connector clip.

It is still another object to provide a connector clip which is quicklyand simply seated in temporary or permanent connection ofa terminal postand a voltage plate, for example, to provide a superior electricalconnection between these components.

It is yet another object to provide a connector clip which effectivelyclamps the terminal post and bites into a voltage plate so as to assurea superior connection regardless of the presence of foreign material,films or oxides or the like. on the surface ofthese components.

It is a further object to provide a connector clip which, when properlyseated, readily adapts itself to relative move- Still another object isto provide a power plate arrangement 'overlies the ground plate insandwiched relationship. A layer of insulating material such as an epoxyresin or the like is disposed between the plates, whereby a capacitor isformed, affording a current storage" capacity. The terminals are mountedin insulated relationship in the ground plate and extend throughsuitably formed apertures in the voltage plate. The voltage plate (orplates) is connected to each selected terminal by'providing a connectorclip which comprises two generally parallel legs fabricated ofresilient, conductive material, resiliently joined to each other at atleast one corresponding end. The legs resiliently clamp a terminal post.The legs arev retained in this clamped relationship on the post bylocking feet which extend generally perpendicular from correspondinglegs into prescribed apertures in a power plate, for example.

In one form of the voltage clip, it is adapted to connect a singleterminal post to a component such as a voltage plate. In this form, theclip legs are resiliently joined at only one corresponding end. Thelocking feet are formed integrally with and extend perpendicular fromthe opposite free ends of the legs. In another form of the clip, itconnects two terminal posts to the voltage plate. In this form, the legsare resiliently joined at both corresponding ends. The'locking feet areformed integrally with the legs generally intermediate the resilientlyjoined opposite ends of the legs.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, isillustrated more or less diagrammatically in the attached drawings, inwhich: 7

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a ground terminal plate andpower plate assembly;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the ground terminal plate andpower plate assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a connectorclip embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view'of a portion of the voltage plate, illustrating asegment of its dielectric film;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a first form of clip-type connector embodyingfeatures of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the connector illustrated in FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the connector illustrated in FIGS.6 and 7;

FIG. 8a is an end elevational view of a modified form of the connectorillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view, similar to FIG. 3, illustrating a second form ofthe clip-type connector; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the clip-type connector illustrated in FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, anelectrical connector assembly is seen generally at 10. The assembly 10comprises a ground terminal plate 11, usually fabricated of an aluminumalloy, mounting a plurality of terminals 12 in suitably formed apertures13 (see FIG. 2) in the plate 11. Overlying the ground terminal plate,and insulated therefrom, is a power plate 15, which is also fabricatedof an aluminum alloy or other conductive material. The power plate 15 isconnected to a source (not shown) of current, as at 17, and provides auniform current dwell at any and every point throughout its extent.

Because the current dwell is unifor'mthrou'ghout the power plate 15, anyselected terminal or terminals l2.can be tapped into the power plateimmediately adjacent the terminal and receive precisely the same currentflow. Thus, the voltage at any and all such power" terminals 12 isexactly the same. it then becomes possible, according to the presentinvention, to develop computer circuitry which completely obviatesmalfunction due to voltage irregularities in power transmission.

It has been pointed out that the ground terminal plate 11 and the powerplate are insulated from each other. More precisely, a film ofdielectric material such as an epoxy resin or the like extends betweenthe ground terminal plate .1 1 and the power plate 15. The epoxy resinfilm is actually applied to the power plate 15 by conventional 'silksc'reen techniques, spraying orvapor deposition, for example.

The aforedescribed arrangement of metal plates 11 and 15 and adielectric film 20 between them forms a capacitor; the plates 11 and 15being at different potentials since power is supplied to the power plate15, while the ground terminal plate is normally grounded. Acting as'acapacitor, the assembly 10 provides a current storage" unit so that evenif current fluctuations occur at the power source, the capacitorcontinues to provide a constant current flow at any terminals 12 whichare tapped into the voltage plate 15 The power plate 15 also has amagnetic field formed around it when supplied with power. This fieldserves to shield the terminals 12 from outside electrical interference.Furthermore, the plate 15 serves as a conductor to channel heat awayfrom the terminals.

Turning to FIGS. 3-5, the terminal connector assembly 10, or part of it,is seen substantially enlarged. Note that the ground terminal plate 11is substantially thicker than the power plate 15. In practice, theground terminal plate is preferably constructed of aluminum alloy platewhich is ap proximately 0.80 inch in' thickness, while the voltage plate15 is constructed of aluminum alloy plate of approximately 0.30 inch inthickness. The thickness of the ground terminal plate 11 is sufficientto provide the assembly 10 with structural strength and rigidityrequired, while the thickness of the voltage plate 15 is sufficient toassure excellent conductivity and uniform current dwell throughout,while being thin enough to occupy minimal space.

The aluminum ground terminal plate 11' is anodized after the terminalapertures 13 are formed in it to protect the plate surface. Anodizing ispreferably avoided in selected areas by masking, however, to afford goodcontact areas for grounding connection. Since the feature does notpertain to this invention, however, it is not illustrated or describedin detail.

Each terminal 12 comprises a terminal pin'25- seated in selflockingrelationship, as described in the aforementioned Just et al. patent, ina bushing 26 extending through a prescribed aperture 13 (see FIG. 4).The bushing 26 is fabricated of a dielectric material, preferably nylon,for example, and includes a circular cylindrical locking section 28 anda square head section 29. In the ground terminal plate 11 and terminal12 arrangement illustrated, the terminals 12 areadapted to receive maleblade connectors in the head sections 29 where they mate with theterminal pins 25. Alternatively, however, printed circuit boards mightbe received bythe head sections 29 to connectto the terminal pins. Inthe latter instance, of course, the construction and configuration ofthe head section 29 would differ considerably.

Each terminal pin illustrated comprises a wire wrap post which extendsthrough the locking section 28 of the bushing 26, and a suitably formedfemale tine arrangement (not shown) within the head section 29. The pinsare fabricated of brass or phosphor bronze or the like. The terminalposts 35 are conventionally either 0.25 or 0.45 inch square in crosssection and are adapted to receive and retain wire leads applied byconventional wire-wrapping techniques.

The power plate 15 is also fabricated of an aluminum alloy, as has beenpointed out. Circular cylindrical apertures of slightly larger diameterthan the apertures 13 in the ground terminal plate llare formed in thepower plate 15, in a pattern corresponding precisely to the pattern ofapertures 13 in the terminal plate. The power plate 15 is then iriditefinished for conductive purposes,- similar to the terminal plate 11.

' After the power plate 15 has been finished in the aforedescribedmanner, a thin strip 42 of plastic tape is preferably applied to onesurface 43 over one or more rows of apertures 40 in the plate 15 whichare not programmed to overlie terminals 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 4and 5 where one row of these apertures 40a are illustrated, the tapethus closes these apertures to communication with one surface 43 of thepower plate 15.

With a row,.for example, of apertures 40a masked in the aforedescribedmanner, the thin film 20 of a dielectric material, an epoxy resin inthis case, is applied to the surface 43 of the power plate 15. Accordingto present practice, the film 20 is applied by, silk-screeningtechniques. However, the film 20 might bevapplied in other ways, such asby spraying or vapor deposition, for example. At any rate, a dielectricfilm 20 is formed over the entire surface 43 of the power plate 15.

As the film 20 is applied to the surface 43 of the power plate 15 bysilk screening, for example, it also forms within the apertures 40 whichare not covered by the masking plastic tape 42. A thin section of film46 thus also builds up within these unmasked apertures 40.

With the ground terminal plate 11 mounting thousands of terminals in aprescribed arrangement, and the power plate 15 prepared in theaforementioned manner, the plates 11 and 15 are sandwiched together, asillustrated in FIG. 4.. The open apertures 40 of the power plate 15,lined with the film 46 of plastic, are seated over the extending ends ofcorresponding locking sections 28 of the terminal bushings 26'until thefilm 20 lies flush against the surface 48 of the ground terminal plate11. With the power plate 15 seated snugly against the ground terminalplate 11, the free ends 49 of the locking sections 28- in the terminalbushings 26 preferably lie flush with the outer surface 50 on the powerplate 15.

The power plate 15 is connected to a power source (not shown) bysuitably leads connected to the plate. The thickness of the plate 15 issuch that a constant current dwell is established throughout the plate.According to the present invention, a precisely identical voltage isthus available at each of an entire row of terminals 12, for example,through identical connector clips 60 (only several of which are shown)embodying features of the invention.

Terminal clips 60 ordinarily connect one or more terminals 12 in one rowof a block of terminals to a power plate 15, for example. The block ofterminals 12 might be connected to a multiple lead connector blockforming terminations for a single or multiple circuitry module. Power issupplied to the module from the power plate 15, through the clips 60 andthe terminals 12.

One of the terminal clips 60 is illustrated in mounted relationship infigS. 3 and 4. The terminal clip 60 embodies features of the first formof the present invention. it tightly clamps onto the wire wrap post 35of a terminal pin 25 and, at the same time, resiliently wedges into theapertures 40a in the power plate 15 which are not lined with the filmsection 46 of insulating plastic. The clip 60 is sufficiently flexibleso that even if the post 35 is flexed or bent during handling of theassembly 10, the clip remains seated and maintains an excellentelectrical connection between the power plate 15 and the terminal pin25.

' Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, in addition to FIGS. 3 and 4, theconnector clip 60 if formed from a single strip of beryllium copper orphosphor bronze by die punching or the like and includes identical,parallel legs 65 joined by a common base section 66 at adjacent one endsof the legs. The legs 65 and base section 66 are generally flat, whileperpendicularly extending feet 67 depend from the other ends 68 of eachof the legs 65.

Formed in opposing relationship on the inner edge 69 of each of the legs65 intermediate the base section 66 of the clip 60 and the free ends 68of the legs 65 are shallow, semirectangular cutouts 72. The cutouts 72are adapted to receive and clamp onto the wire wrap post 35 and,accordingly, each cutout 72 is preferably 0.025 or 0.045 inch in width.

A clip 60 is slipped over the wire wrap post 35 of each selectedterminal 12 and forced downwardly into the position shown in FIGS. 3 and4. The feet 67 are wedged into the apertures 40a in the power plate 15.The feet 67 are relatively short, their length being slightly less thanthe thickness of the plate so the insulation is not punctured. Incontrast, the legs 65 are relatively long.

The width of each clip 60 between its outer edges 75, in a relaxedcondition, is greater than the diameter of the apertures 400 into whichthe feet 67 are received, and the distance between the bottoms of thecutouts 72 normally provides a slip fit over the wire wrap post 35.Accordingly, when the feet 67 of the clip 60 are pinched together andplaced into a corresponding aperture 40a in the power plate 15, the legs65 of the clip are bowed outwardly and clamp the terminal post 35 in thecutouts 72. At the same time, the spring force in the bowed, resilientlegs 65 causes the outer edges 75 of the feet 67 to bite into the sideof the aperture 400. The clip 60 is thus resiliently clamped into placeand excellent electrical connections are established between the clipand the post 35, as well as between the clip and the power plate 15.Because of the resiliency of the clip 60, it will not inadvertently workloose from its seated relationship on the post 35 and in the power plate15, even if the post 35 is bent extensively, for example. Referring toFIG. 80, however, it is possible to provide additional retaining meansfor the clip 15 by serrating the outer edges of the feet 67, as at 750.

The clip 60, while is adapted to be connectedto a single terminal post35, is illustrated as a relatively straight member with its base section66 directly opposite the cutouts 72 from the feet 67 of the clip.However, it should be understood that if terminal density is greater,and clip size presents interference problems, the base section 66 andthose portions of the legs 65 between the cutouts 72 and the basesection 66 might be canted at an angle or split into two separate orsplayed base sections. it is only necessary that the extremities of thebase section be sufficiently spaced from the cutouts 72 to assure that aresiliently tight clamping effect will be made on the post 35 withoutbreaking the clip at the base section.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 9 and 10 where a connector clip 80embodying features of a second form of the present invention isillustrated. The clip 80 is substantially identical in concept to theclip 60, but is adapted to connect two terminal posts 135 to a powerplate 115 through a single power plate aperture 1400. The clip 80 isalso formed of beryllium copper or phosphor bronze by die punching, forexample.

The clip 80 comprises elongated, parallel legs 85 joined at theiropposite ends by identical base sections 86. The legs 85 are somewhatirregularly shaped. They are, however, substantially identical to eachother in configuration, although oppositely arranged in the clip as willbe recognized.

Each leg 85 includes a relatively short end section 88, a centralsection 89 and a relatively longer opposite end section 90. On theopposed end sections 88 and 90, the inner edge is squared, as at 91, toengage and clamp the sides of a corresponding terminal post 135.

The oppositely disposed central sections 89 of the legs 85 have a foot95 bent downwardly therefrom, as best illustrated in FIG. 10. The outeredges 96 of the feet are, in the relaxed condition of the clip 80,spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the correspondingaperture 140a through the power plate 115. In addition, the opposededges 91 in the leg sections 88, 90 are normally spaced apartsufficiently to make a slip fit to the corresponding terminal posts 135.

The clip 80 is slipped over a pair of terminal posts 135 in much thesame manner that the clip 60 is mounted on a single post 35. The clip 80is forced downwardly on the post 135 until the feet 95 reach and arepinched together and placed into the corresponding apertures 140a. Asthe feet expand into the aperture, they bite into its surface as theopposed edges 91 clamp tightly onto the terminal 135. Similar to theclip 60, an excellent electrical connection, with the clip actuallyclamping onto the posts and biting into the aperture a, is effected.Even if the posts 135 are bent extensively, the resiliency of the clip80 permits it to remain securely seated and maintain an excellentconnection.

The connector clips 60 and 80 have been described in detail solely inthe context of a power plate 15 connection to a square cross sectionwire wrap post. lt is within the purview of the invention, however, tomake connections with these clips to printed circuit boards and otherelectrical components from round pins or pins having othercross-sectional configurations.

While several embodiments described herein are at present considered tobe preferred, it is understood that various modifications andimprovements may be made therein.

What I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. A connector clip for electrically connecting a terminal post in anelectrical terminal with a plate having one aperture through which saidpost extends and another aperture adjacent said one aperture,comprising:

a. a pair of generally coextensive legs formed of resilient material anddisposed substantially parallel to each other,

b. each end of one of said legs being disposed adjacent thecorresponding end of the other of said legs,

c. a common base section joining one pair of adjacent ends of said legstogether,

d. a foot extending from each of the other adjacent ends of said legsfor seating in said other aperture, and

e. a cutout formed in the opposed surfaces of each of said legs betweensaid base section and said feet for engaging and clamping the post whensaid feet are seated in the other aperture. 7

2. A connector clip for electrically connecting a terminal post in anelectrical terminal with a plate having one aperture through which saidpost extends and another aperture adjacent said one aperture,comprising:

a. a pair of relatively long, generally coextensive legs formed ofresilient material and disposed substantially parallel to each other,

b. each end-of one of said legs being disposed adjacent thecorresponding end of the other of said legs,

c. a common base section joining at least one pair of adjacent ends ofsaid legs together,

a relatively short foot for seating in said other aperture dependingfrom each of said legs at a distance substantially greater than thelength of said feet from said base section, and

e. means formed on opposed inner surfaces of said legs disposed betweensaid base section and said feet for resiliently engaging and clampingthe post,

f. said legs being long enough so that they bow outwardly around thepost when said feet are seated in said other aperture and said engagingand clamping means grip the post. 1

3. The clip of claim 2 further characterized in that:

a. said legs and said base section lie substantially in a single plane,and

b. said feet depend generally perpendicular from said plane.

4. The clip of claim 2 further characterized in that:

a. said feet depend from the other ends of each of said legs.

5. The connector clip of claim 2 further characterized in that:

a. said legs are joined together by common base sections at both ends ofthe legs,

b. said feet depend from each of said legs intermediate said basesections,

c. said engaging means include means formed on opposed inner surfaces ofsaid legs disposed between said feet and each of said base sections.

1. A connector clip for electrically connecting a terminal post in anelectrical terminal with a plate having one aperture through which saidpost extends and another aperture adjacent said one aperture,comprising: a. a pair of generally coextensive legs formed of resilientmaterial and disposed substantially parallel to each other, b. each endof one of said legs being disposed adjacent the corresponding end of theother of said legs, c. a common base section joining one pair ofadjacent ends of said legs together, d. a foot extending from each ofthe other adjacent ends of said legs for seating in said other aperture,and e. a cutout formed in the opposed surfaces of each of said legsbetween said base section and said feet for engaging and clamping thepost when said feet are seated in the other aperture.
 2. A connectorclip for electrically connecting a terminal post in an electricalterminal with a plate having one aperture through which said postextends and another aperture adjacent said one aperture, comprising: a.a pair of relatively long, generally coextensive legs formed ofresilient material and disposed substantially parallel to each other, b.each end of one of said legs being disposed adjacent the correspondingend of the other of said legs, c. a common base section joining at leastone pair of adjacent ends of said legs together, d. a relatively shortfoot for seating in said other aperture depending from each of said legsat a distance substantially greater than the length of said feet fromsaid base section, and e. means formed on opposed inner surfaces of saidlegs disposed between said base section and said feet for resilientlyengaging and clamping the post, f. said legs being long enough so thatthey bow outwardly around the post when said feet are seated in saidother aperture and said engaging and clamping means grip the post. 3.The clip of claim 2 further characterized in that: a. said legs and saidbase section lie substantially in a single plane, and b. said feetdepend generally perpendicular from said plane.
 4. The clip of claim 2further characterized in that: a. said feet depend from the other endsof each of said legs.
 5. The connector clip of claim 2 furthercharacterized in that: a. said legs are joined together by common basesections at both ends of the legs, b. said feet depend from each of saidlegs intermediate said base sections, c. said engaging means includemeans formed on opposed inner surfaces of said legs disposed betweensaid feet and each of said base sections.